Dean Gaffney Reportedly Wants EastEnders Return After Spending Summer in Ibiza

18. September 2026

Former EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney is reportedly hoping to return to the BBC soap after spending much of the summer in Ibiza.

The 48-year-old actor, best known for playing Robbie Jackson, has continued to visit the island regularly and has been pictured with Ibiza-based friends including Tony Truman and Wayne Lineker.

According to The Sun, people close to Gaffney say he is looking for more acting work and would particularly like to return to EastEnders.

There is currently no confirmed announcement from the BBC that Gaffney will reprise his role as Robbie Jackson.

From Walford to Ibiza

Gaffney first appeared in EastEnders as Robbie Jackson in 1993.

His character became associated with the Jackson family and was frequently seen alongside Wellard, the family's dog.

After leaving the programme, Gaffney returned to the role several times before being written out in 2019.

His most recent departure followed controversy surrounding his off-screen behaviour.

Since then, he has taken on a mixture of television, theatre and reality-show work.

Gaffney Says Acting Is Still His Priority

According to The Sun's report, people close to Gaffney say acting remains his preferred career path.

He has appeared on reality television, including I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and its South Africa edition, as well as Celebs Go Dating.

However, the report says he has turned down a number of other reality-TV opportunities because he would rather concentrate on acting.

Gaffney recently returned to the screen in the action-crime film Reckless, appearing alongside Vinnie Jones.

His Ibiza Connection

Gaffney has spent considerable time in Ibiza over the years and has a close friendship with Tony Truman, one of the figures behind O Beach Ibiza.

He has also been photographed regularly with Wayne Lineker during his visits to the island.

Gaffney has previously explained that his lifestyle abroad can appear more expensive than it actually is because friends with businesses in Ibiza and other destinations provide accommodation and hospitality.

In an earlier statement, he said he would not be able to afford visiting places such as Dubai and Ibiza as frequently without friends who own villas, hotels, restaurants or beach clubs.

The “Freebies” Claim

The Sun describes Gaffney as the “king of freebies”, based on claims about the hospitality he receives from friends.

That is a newspaper characterization rather than an established financial assessment.

Gaffney himself has previously acknowledged that friends help make his trips abroad possible, while rejecting the impression that he is wealthy enough to maintain a millionaire lifestyle independently.

There is no independently verified figure in the current report establishing his financial position.

No Confirmed EastEnders Return

Despite the speculation, there is currently no confirmed announcement that Gaffney is returning to Albert Square.

Current EastEnders cast information and recent reporting about upcoming returns do not list Robbie Jackson among the confirmed returning characters. 

The Sun's report relies on unnamed sources for the claim that Gaffney would particularly like to return to the programme.

That should therefore be treated as a report about his reported ambitions rather than confirmation of a future storyline.

Robbie Jackson's History

Gaffney's first appearance as Robbie Jackson came in December 1993.

He initially remained with the soap for around a decade before returning for shorter appearances on several occasions.

His later full-time return began in 2017, before Robbie was written out again in 2019.

The character has therefore already returned to Walford more than once, making another appearance possible in principle, although there is currently no confirmed plan for one.

A New Chapter for Gaffney

Away from EastEnders, Gaffney continues to work in entertainment.

His 2026 projects include the film Reckless and a pantomime production of The Wizard of Oz at The Woodville theatre in Gravesend in December.

The pantomime role is currently confirmed, while any future EastEnders appearance remains unconfirmed.

Could Robbie Jackson Return?

For now, the idea of Robbie Jackson returning to Albert Square remains speculation.

What is clear is that Gaffney continues to have a strong connection with Ibiza, where he has spent much of the summer with friends and has appeared regularly at local venues.

According to the latest report, people close to him say he would like to return to acting on a more regular basis, with EastEnders reportedly his preferred destination.

Until the BBC or Gaffney himself confirms a deal, however, there is no confirmed EastEnders comeback.

For the moment, the actor's next confirmed stage appearance is as the Wizard of Oz in December, while his future in Walford remains undecided.

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